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Thieves ransack and vandalize cars at Henrico retirement center

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HENRICO, Va. -- Neighbors in an East End senior housing community reported vandalism and car break-ins overnight. They said their property was ransacked and their tires slashed.

There were cars propped up on blocks and a truck with two tires slashed and leaning to the side. There were other cars nearby that had flat tires as well.

Folks who reside in the Sandston Plateau apartment community are ticked off that vandals would target their parking lot, wreaking havoc on their vehicles and their wallets.

One of the victims who had to spend money to tow her car and replace a tire said she felt for the other victims because they are all on fixed incomes.

“It is terrible. I had to scrape and scrimp,” she said.

Kenny Snyder said his tires were fine, but he was still hit by the vandals. He expects to spend nearly $1300 to replace his passenger side window and the items stolen from his SUV.

“They were able to push the window in and get their hand down in there and unlock the door,” Snyder said. “They threw my glassed to the back. They stole my amp and speaker. They stole all that, even my toolbox with about $250.00 worth of tools.”

Helen Jefferson, who is upset about what happened to her friends’ vehicles, wondered aloud why anyone would do that.

“Unless they just don’t feel good about themselves,” Jefferson figured.

Henrico Police confirmed that eight vehicles in the Sandston parking lot had punctured tires and some were broke into with items stolen during the overnight hours of July 9.

Lt. Chris Eley says they need the public’s help to drum up more clues to catch the culprits who left these seniors in a lurch.

Many of the car owners said they had to go a day or so without their cars, and some of them are trying to figure out how to pay for the damage that was done.

“We did process the scene for forensic evidence,” Eley said. “We will look to see if it has any value.”

Right now there are no suspects. Police encouraged anyone who may have seen something suspicious to call 501-5000.

Neighbors said they will continue to keep a watchful eye and do whatever it takes to keep their property safe.

“Next time I’m going to get a couple of rattlesnakes,” one victim said. “I’ll leave the windows half way down and put them in my car. When they hear those rattles, I don’t think they’ll bother the car.”

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